Nantes

This collection brings together the 50 most populous cities of France, from the metropolis to overseas territories. It includes the major urban centers shaping the national territory, from Paris with its capital status to regional metropolises like Marseille with its Mediterranean port, Lyon where the Rhône and Saône meet, or Toulouse with its aerospace industry. These cities represent the main economic, cultural, and administrative hubs of the country. The selection covers all French regions and illustrates the diversity of territories: dense communes in Île-de-France, southern cities like Nice on the Côte d'Azur and Montpellier near the Mediterranean, eastern cities such as Strasbourg hosting the European Parliament, northern centers like Lille close to Belgium, or Bordeaux known for its architecture and vineyards. From Nantes, former capital of the Dukes of Brittany, to communes of La Réunion, this collection offers a complete overview of major French urban areas and invites exploration of their history, heritage, and unique vitality.

Nantes features diverse settings for photography, from gardens to historical monuments. Passage Pommeraye, a 19th-century shopping gallery, displays carved staircases and glass roofs across three levels. Île de Versailles offers a Japanese garden with stone lanterns and bamboo groves, while the Jardin des Plantes houses over 10,000 plant species in its greenhouses and pathways. Château des Ducs de Bretagne showcases Renaissance towers, and Cours Cambronne lines neoclassical facades around a tree-lined square. Converted former industrial sites create unique photographic spaces. The Hangar à Bananes, a former warehouse on the Loire quays, now hosts restaurants and galleries. Les Machines de l'Île set their mechanical creations in the naval shipyard’s Nefs. Le Lieu Unique occupies the LU factory with its distinctive tower, and Jardin des Fonderies preserves metal structures from its industrial past. In Trentemoult, a fishing village with houses painted red, yellow, and blue, narrow alleys run along the Loire.

Nantes offers diverse dining experiences from Art Nouveau brasseries to modern bistros. Local restaurants serve regional specialties, fresh seafood, and French classics. Find establishments along the Loire River, in historic buildings, and atop city viewpoints. The selection includes traditional creperies, wine bars, and contemporary fusion venues.

Nantes combines mechanical monuments, botanical gardens, a medieval castle and museums. The historical quarters, old squares and notable architecture reflect its maritime and commercial past. The city features parks, walks along the Loire and cultural institutions like the Art Museum and Natural History Museum. The Machines de l'île presents mechanical animals, including a 12-meter-tall elephant.

Nantes region offers indoor and outdoor activities for families. Climbing gyms, escape rooms, bowling alleys and VR centers provide entertainment in any weather. Outdoors, water parks, botanical gardens and adventure parks invite exploration. Karting tracks, trampoline parks and game centers complete the options. The facilities feature age-appropriate equipment and supervision.

Nantes hosts a diverse culinary scene that ranges from Michelin-starred restaurants to neighborhood bistros. Among the distinguished addresses, L'Atlantide 1874 overlooks the city from the top floor of a tower with a view of the Loire, while Le Manoir de la Régate offers its cuisine by the Erdre River. Restaurant ICI also represents the high-end gastronomy of Nantes with its seasonal menus. The diversity characterizes the culinary offerings downtown. Establishments like Le Bistro des Enfants Nantais and Chez B.B. continue the French bistro tradition with fresh market products. Other venues broaden the horizons: Meraki brings Greek and Mediterranean flavors, L'Agave combines French cuisine with Central American influences, while Imagine offers brunch all day. This range reflects the evolution of Nantes gastronomy, where regional recipes meet world cuisines in settings from historic halls to modern spaces.

Nantes offers a wide range of activities for all tastes and ages. The city has several climbing gyms such as Block'out Nantes with its 1000 m² of climbing routes and boulders, aquatic complexes including the Petit-Port swimming pool with its 50-meter Olympic pool, as well as virtual reality centers like Vortex Experience VR and Virtual Room Nantes for immersive experiences. Puzzle enthusiasts can try various escape rooms, while Quiz Room offers team challenges on different themes. Sporting Nantes brings together on 2000 m² squash courts, badminton, and a fitness room. The city's green spaces allow outdoor relaxation. The Grand Blottereau Park covers 19 hectares with themed gardens, an orangery, and greenhouses housing exotic plants, while Versailles Island offers a natural setting in the city center. For more vigorous activities, Nantes' go-kart track features a covered 400-meter circuit, and the region has automobile racing circuits for sport driving.

Loire-Atlantique features numerous sports centers equipped for padel, spread across the entire department. These facilities provide indoor and outdoor courts suitable for players of all levels. Most centers offer racket and ball rentals, as well as courses taught by qualified instructors. Facilities usually include changing rooms with showers, relaxation areas, and parking. In Nantes and its suburbs, several locations stand out for their infrastructure quality. The Urban Padel Nantes Carquefou center has six indoor courts with LED lighting, while UCPA Sport Station is located downtown with two indoor courts. In Saint-Herblain, Le Sporting offers four courts in a covered complex. On the coast, the Pornichet club has two indoor courts, and La Baule Tennis Club offers outdoor courts in a seaside setting. In Saint-Nazaire, three illuminated courts allow evening play. Reservations are made online for most venues or by phone, depending on the center. Rates vary based on time slots and court type. Some centers offer subscription packages for regular players.

The guinguettes of Loire-Atlantique offer outdoor dining locations, from the Nantes to Brest canal to the banks of the Loire. These seasonal establishments are found in various settings: riversides, municipal parks, wine estates with châteaux, bodies of water and canal locks. They serve meals and drinks in outdoor spaces such as floating terraces, barges or gardens. The locations are distributed throughout the department, from Nantes to Pornic, via Saint-Nazaire and Ancenis. They can be found along waterways and in green spaces, where they provide meals and refreshments in natural settings. These venues open during the warmer months and offer outdoor dining spots with views of rivers, canals or parks.